A Word From the Airspace Lounge at BWI

I’ve been looking forward to the opportunity to try the Airspace Lounge at Baltimore’s Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) since it opened. Trouble is, living so close to Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), I don’t fly out of BWI that often. So it wasn’t until this morning that I had my first look at the lounge since it opened in the old United Red Carpet Club space. I arrived at BWI after a crack of dawn SuperShuttle ride from my home with plenty of time to spare before my flight. Thanks to my First Class upgrade clearing, I was able to utilize the elite/crew line at BWI D-concourse security. That’s a good thing, because the line was backed up about as far as I could see down the narrow hallway that connects some shops and other stuff throughout the BWI terminal. I was through security in 5 minutes.

There are signs up throughout the airport advertising the lounge and the fact that you can access it with your American Express Platinum card, which I carry. So I made my way down to gate D 17 and crossed through the sliding glass doors into the Airspace Lounge. If you’ve ever had the occasion to visit the old Red Carpet, you will really be impressed with what they’ve done with the place. The decor has been modernized with improved furniture, an expansive cyber bar area with plenty of power outlets, and there’s a very well stocked non-cyber bar too. Best of all at this early hour, they serve Peet’s Coffee!!! In real mugs, no less. Entry costs for those without the aforementioned Amex cards start at $17.50 for one person. Today, they’re running a 2 for $20 dollars special.

There is a menu of reasonably priced food items, any one of which you can have for free courtesy of American Express if you carry the Platinum or Centurion Card. (Note: The Amex deal is 1 comp food item or 1 comp bar item, and those that pay the entrance fee also receive 1 comp food item) For breakfast, your choices are a yogurt parfait, fruit salad, western omelet panini, or breakfast sandwich, all under $5 dollars. The afternoon/evening menu consists of a Thai chicken wrap, citrus salad, hummus plate, chicken caesar salad, roast beef sandwich, turkey sandwich or tomato mozzarella sandwich, ranging from $4.95 to $7.95.

When I arrived, there were 2 people in the lounge, then I had the place all to myself for a bit until 2 more patrons joined me. I took advantage of the slow time to snap a few photos.

The bottom line – I like the place. It’s certainly a good deal for Amex Platinum and Centurion cardmembers. Frankly, I think the $17.50 price point for entry is a good deal as well. I’d much rather spend my time inside the lounge than out at the gate, and with free wi-fi and access to decent snacks and beverages at a reasonable cost, there’s no question I’d pay for this if I had a long wait for a flight when at BWI.

Marshall Jackson is an aviation enthusiast and avid cruiser. After 10 years in the airline business, Marshall moved on to a new career that includes plenty of travel and plenty of cruises, and that’s just the way he likes it.

Where can I get more information (link or something in writing) about the 1 comp item or 1 bar item with Amex platinum?

Also, since a single card holder is allowed to bring 2 guests or immediate family..i was wondering if they also get 1 free comp item.

Is it just 1 comp item / Amex Platinum card?

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5 years ago

Guest

Bert Krend

Marshall: You are absolutely dead on with this review. I’ve used it a number of times in the past two months, and I used my Amex Card to get in free each time (and they allow guests for free as well, as long as you have a Platinum Card!) The food is first rate, and the manager (Scot?) could not be more helpful, accommodating and professional. One bit of clarification: they have nothing to do with Priority Pass, and I was told that my Priority Pass membership will not get me in here. With my Amex Plat card, who needs… Read more »

Interesting article about traveling with my platinum card, but being a reader from europe, I really have no clue about what city you are talking about, where is BWI, where is DCA…?
Of course, i could google it, but perhaps next time you could think about your international readers who are not familiar with those abreviations. Thank you for your attention
Hubert

Thanks for stopping by. I will address this in the post as you are absolutely correct, I should consider readers outside the US and even those from the US who don’t necessarily consider it an honor to know every airport identifier.